The Thai Red Cross Society is offering people free vaccination against rabies until Sept 30 following recent incidents of rabies infection and rising awareness about the disease.
Thirawat Hemajutha, director of infectious and emerging infectious disease, suggested people take a course of the vaccine without waiting to be bitten by an infected dog or cat.
The recommended course comprises three shots of the vaccine, with the second and third shots on the third and 28th days after the first injection to ensure its effectiveness. The vaccine can be given to people of any age, from newborn to the elderly.
He said the vaccine would be effective for 20-30 years if the recipient did not have an immunity problem.
Vaccinated people bitten by a dog must still clean the wound and see a doctor, who will give them shots to stimulate the vaccine.
Dr Thirawat said people at risk of being bitten by a dog - such as veterinarians, people living in areas with stray dogs or those raising dogs - should get the precautionary vaccination, now offered free of charge at the Red Cross Society until the end of September. A 20-baht fee will be required for registration.
Three provinces - Yasothon, Kalasin and Pathum Thani - have been declared temporary rabies-hit zones.
Seven people have died of rabies between Jan 1 and Aug 7 this year.
Two deaths were reported in Chachoengsao, with the others in Tak, Rayong, Samut Prakan, Songkhla and Si Sa Ket provinces, according to the Bureau of Epidemiology.
The Bangkok Metropolitan Administration has coordinated with 50 districts in Bangkok to arrange mobile units to give free rabies vaccination to pets in all districts until Friday.